# Broadway on video? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 7, 2006, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadway-on-video/367778 "2006-08-07T23:25:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2006, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadway-on-video/367778/1 "2006-08-07T23:25:04Z")
Have Broadway shows ever been video taped, and offered to the public for a price? I’m not referring to movies adapted from the stage, ie. ‘Cabaret’, ‘Chicago’, ‘West Side Story’…I’m referring to original Broadway cast, from opening curtain to conclusion,unlike snippets I saw last night on PBS. Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2006, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadway-on-video/367778/2 "2006-08-07T23:38:46Z")
There’s a stunning version of [Cats](http://imdb.com/title/tt0173714/) on VHS and DVD. ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2006, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadway-on-video/367778/3 "2006-08-07T23:40:53Z")
And don’t miss [Sweeney Todd](http://imdb.com/title/tt0084747/) with Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett. Delicious! ---
**Author:** ![DooWahDiddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@DooWahDiddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooWahDiddy)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2006, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadway-on-video/367778/4 "2006-08-07T23:47:01Z")
Unfortunately, due to copyright restrictions, most shows are not sold to the general public. However, yes, every show is recorded and archived at the Library at Lincoln Center. Judging from your location, you may be in NYC. If you are, just call them up and see if you can make an appointment for a viewing. Basically you go in there and watch the show on headphones and a TV viewing station, like microfiche. I think it’s ostensibly only supposed to be used for “educational purposes”, so you may have to tell them it’s for class or something, but they may not be as stringent in the summer months. Other than this, the only other way to go is bootlegs. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadway-on-video/367778/5 "2006-08-08T02:38:38Z")
Right now, the only version of _Pirates of Penzance_ is a filmed Broadway stage version. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadway-on-video/367778/6 "2006-08-08T05:50:57Z")
“Into the Woods” with Bernadette Peters was broadcast on PBS in the early 90’s. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadway-on-video/367778/7 "2006-08-08T06:13:15Z")
[QUOTE=DooWahDiddy] Unfortunately, due to copyright restrictions, most shows are not sold to the general public. However, yes, every show is recorded and archived at the Library at Lincoln Center. [/QUOTE] Would that be the [New York Public Library for the Performing Arts?](http://www.nypl.org/research/lpa/lpa.html) ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadway-on-video/367778/8 "2006-08-08T06:15:32Z")
Why, indeed it [is!](http://www.nypl.org/research/lpa/the/the.specfea.html) > [@](#): > > Since 1970, the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive (TOFT) has been engaged in a unique documentation effort, recording Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional theatre productions, and dialogues between notable theatre personalities…These projects ensure that todays performances will be tomorrows legacy, available to future generations for study and enjoyment. Endowed, in part, by producer Lucille Lortel, TOFT is housed in a state-of-the-art viewing room named in honor of Miss Lortel. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadway-on-video/367778/9 "2006-08-08T12:22:04Z")
I know Pippin has a great video with Ben Vereen. I’m not sure if it’s on DVD. Joseph & the Amazing, By Jeeves, & Cats all have video releases. ---
**Author:** ![DooWahDiddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@DooWahDiddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooWahDiddy)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadway-on-video/367778/10 "2006-08-08T13:21:12Z")
[QUOTE=mobo85] Why, indeed it [is!](http://www.nypl.org/research/lpa/the/the.specfea.html) [/QUOTE] Sorry I wasn’t more clear on that. It’s known around here as the “Lincoln Center Library” even though it technically is the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.